Food & Drink

3 reasons to have brunch at origin north

Food & Drink

3 reasons to have brunch at origin north

Winter is made for hibernating -- a.k.a. sleeping in -- which tends to make brunch the first meal of the day and, in my opinion, the most delicious.
Brunch menus are intensified versions of savoury and sweet foodie favourites that satisfy any late morning hunger pains. I had the delicious satisfaction of trying out the
Origin North brunch menu and have determined there are three reasons (i.e. dishes) why you, too, should eat here.
Et voila,
French toast! The Origin North menu has three different options, but the most traditional approach won my heart immediately. With a berry compote, whipped cream and maple, how can you go wrong?
A brunch tostada that very much surprised my taste buds. The smoky and sweet pork belly and rice with scrambled eggs hit all the flavour notes harmoniously.
I love quiche and
Origin North serves up different flavours daily. The caramelized shallots, double smoked bacon and Parmesan cheese quiche was particularly delectable.
Where is your favourite brunch spot?

Tips & Tricks

8 Scandi-chic decor ideas worth stealing this holiday season

Come winter, the coziness and understated beauty that define Scandinavian design are all the more welcome – and this Toronto abode lets it be known. Read on for eight Swedish decor ideas worth stealing this season.

1 Get adventive: Forgo the chocolate Advent calendar this year in favour of a fabulous DIY creation. Count down the days until Christmas with 24 mini paper gift bags. Embellish each with natural finds like twigs and sprigs of greenery before securing them onto a fabric-covered corkboard.

2 Embrace nature: Bring the serenity of Scandi style into your home by drawing inspiration from the wintry outdoors. Here, a fresh evergreen wreath and garland, bird ornaments and a stack of logs subtly spruce up the fireplace wall.

3 Style strategically: Nordic design is all about capturing the magic of minimalism – even at Christmas. Scope out simple yet striking seasonal adornments like the ornate paper snowflakes festooning this banister, which nod to the holidays but are still in keeping with the entryway’s calming neutral palette.

4 Pare back parcels: Let’s face it: Wrapping holiday presents in layers of red and green is a tad overdone. Go against the grain this year and opt for soft-hued paper, such as this white ribbed style. Then adorn your gifts with burlap ribbon and sleek DIY gift tags.

5 Add whimsy: While there’s nothing wrong with decking out your home in an array of colourful baubles, the Swedes favour subtler star-shaped decorations. Think of the bunting seen here as an alternative to string lights that’s quieter but still offers the same dreamy quality.

6 Create seasonal swag: Make your living space sparkle and shine by fashioning your own festive garland. Cut holiday shapes out of shimmery paper or wallpaper swatches and stitch them together delicately with white thread.

7 Welcome neutrals: How do you take a muted space from sterile to sophisticated? Home in on the details. Elements like mismatched chairs and a non-operational fireplace filled with logs lend enough interest to this bright dining room so that, come December, a few festive accents feel like plenty.

8 Layer textures: When temperatures dip into the negative double-digits, we crave all types of comfort. Emulate the Swedish way of combatting the cold with heaps of texture, whether through small details (stylish place settings and votive candle holders wrapped in yarn) or larger additions (a faux sheepskin throw).

8 terrific travel gifts for your favourite jet-setter

Gift Guides

8 terrific travel gifts for your favourite jet-setter

The travel enthusiast on your shopping list is sure to love any of these great gift ideas.

Shopping for someone who loves to travel this holiday season? Look no further for inspired gift ideas we’re sure they will love! From bags that’ll help them travel in style to essential tech gadgets they’ll never want to leave home without, these gifts are sure to be a hit this Christmas!

1 iPhone 7 Plus: No traveler leaves home without a camera and these days, all they really need is their smartphone! The brand new iPhone 7 Plus delivers its best camera ever with some seriously awesome new features, which make it a must-have for the shutterbug on your Christmas list. The improved camera means significantly better photos in low-light and more vibrant, colour-rich photos in regular light. The camera can take ‘portrait mode’ photos (blurring out the background and giving a bokeh effect like a fancy SLR camera) and has an optical zoom. Plus, it’s now splash- and water-resistant… hello, beach! iPhone 7, Apple, $899.

2 Jenni Saddle Bag: Ask any seasoned traveler and she’ll tell you that a small cross-body bag is a travel essential … and we just can’t get enough of the ‘Jenni’ saddle bag from Gigi New York. The sultry saddle shape combined with a luxe pebble grain leather make this bag a stylish addition to any outfit. With an adjustable strap and detachable tassel, this stunning bag is a winner! Jenni Saddle Bag,Gigi New York, $345.

3 Clarity Clutch + Coin Pouch: Looking for a gift for the stylish travelista on your shopping list this Christmas? This transparent clutch and coin pouch duo is just what you’re looking for! Both items are ideal for keeping travel necessities like a passport, boarding pass and money close at hand. Or use it to store makeup and toiletries. Either way, the clutch and the pouch will make it so much easier to find things that easily get lost at the bottom of a handbag! Clarity Clutch + Coin Pouch, Truffle, $60.

4 Kindle Paperwhite: The traveler who can’t live without her books will be truly thrilled to find the Kindle Paperwhite e-reader under the Christmas tree this year. Now available in black and white, the Kindle Paperwhite offers readers a high-resolution display with a built-in adjustable light. The screen has no glare so it simulates reading an actual paper book. Its compact size makes it perfectly portable, ideal for the travel lover on your shopping list this season! Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon, $119.99.

5 Beach Tray: In this acrylic tray, Gray Malin marries the stunning aerial photography he’s known for with a striking home decor accent piece. Suitable for a myriad of uses (serving tray, office catch-all or simply a beautiful objet d’art to be displayed and admired), this tray is sure to delight the traveler on your list. This particular tray, part of Gray Malin’s newly launched home collection, features an overhead shot of beach umbrellas in Lisbon. Beach Tray, Gray Malin, $295.

6 The Beaches Tote Bag: Every traveler needs a good, multi-purpose tote bag that can easily fit in their luggage and be pulled out at a moment’s notice. This canvas tote is the perfect bag for shopping at a local market, taking to the beach or for using as an extra carry-on bag to bring home shopping that won’t fit in the suitcase! The Beaches Tote Bag, Main and Local, $19.99.

7 The Bigger Carry-On: A suitcase that charges your phone? A suitcase that has an unbreakable, scratch-resistant exterior shell? A suitcase that is guaranteed for life? That’s the kind of suitcase every traveler dreams of. Away has reimagined the suitcase and the result is a modern piece of luggage that easily and effortlessly meets the needs of today’s traveler. This is a super chic gift for the super chic traveler. The Bigger Carry-On, Away, $245.

8 Men in Red Limited Edition Art Print: Inspire a travel-lover’s sense of adventure with a gorgeous piece of artwork that will not only look fabulous gracing the walls of their home, but will remind them of a favourite vacation (or motivate them to visit some place they’ve never been!) To make this gift extra special, choose the perfect frame from a number of options. Men in Red Limited Edition Art Print, Minted, starting at $21.

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

House Tours

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

A fashion photographer and online gallery owner transforms her home into a work of art.

The most effective galleries draw you in and make you feel welcome and inspired, as their artwork guides you from room to room, piquing your interest at each glance. Though this impeccably appointed house is not a gallery, it was decorated with the expert eye of a fashion photographer and online gallery owner, and its effect is the same: It beckons you to explore each corner and ask about every piece.

“I’ve always felt that my home is more about showcasing art than it is about design,” says Maude Arsenault, who lives in this approximately 3,000-square-foot Victorian in Montreal’s Outremont neighbourhood with her film director husband, Eric Tessier, and their three children.

Not surprisingly, every single wall is white (what gallery’s walls aren’t?). Warm and cool shades, high-gloss and eggshell finishes and wall treatments ranging from beadboard in the dining room to brick in the living room ensure the effect isn’t too sterile.

Photo Gallery

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Gallery-like home

Step inside this chic gallery-like home and you'll be met by beautiful barely there artwork - the compelling gaze of a gorgeous face photographed by Maude herself.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

White living room

Layers of texture and solid hits of black keep the all-white living room super cozy. So it's fitting that this is where the family spends the most time in winter, enjoying the plush seating and warm fire. Organizing idea: Store firewood in plain sight - it makes for a textural rustic-chic accent that's both decorative and functional.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Artwork

The freckled face above the fireplace lends the living room personality. Maude's sole piece of vintage artwork sits on its side, grabbing the eye's attention, and has a remarkable story behind it: Shot in 1968, the photograph is from a series that followed Bobby Kennedy's funeral train from New York to Washington, capturing the mourning public standing in salute.

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Matte black quartz

The marble perimeter countertops are difficult for a busy family to maintain, Maude admits, but she loves the Matte black quartz on the kitchen island.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Light and airy dining room

The light, white and airy dining room, which leads to the backyard, is a favourite space in this house - especially come summer. To maximize brightness, homeowner Maude Arsenault had the parquet floors and beadboard walls painted white.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Dining room art

The dining room photograph is one of Maude's favourite pieces.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Monochromatic staircase

The black, white and wood entryway sets the tone for the whole home, which exudes the same modern classic vibe. This streamlined setup sends your eye immediately to the artwork resting casually on the floor - a moody shot of grassy rock terrain, which provides a whisper of colour ot the space.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Hallway

The upstairs hallway features smaller works of art, including some pieces from friends.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Peaceful master bedroom

"Books, lights, a chair and a bed - the master bedroom is very simple," says Maude. Above all else, she wanted it to feel peaceful, which is precisely why she chose the rose artwork for above the bed. "I love that it's dramatic but not upbeat," she says. "I find it so calming and self-reflective."

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Coffee spot

The sidechair and side table in the master bedroom offer a quaint place to enjoy a coffee while overlooking the huge tree in the backyard.

Budget decorating

5 ways to get the marble look without the marble price

Few materials strike a chord with us in the same way that marble does. The sought-after stone, with its subtle sheen and veined markings, is quick to catch the eye and lends a luxe look to a space without being over the top. The downside, of course, is its price point. Here are 5 marble-like options that will achieve the same sophisticated, formal look for a fraction of the cost.

Photo Gallery

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Vinyl floor tile

Looking for a faux marble tile that can handle heavy foot traffic? Consider peel-and-stick vinyl floor tiles. In addition to their resilient nature, the tiles can be installed over most existing flooring. In other words, they make for a perfect weekend DIY project that won’t end in defeat. TrafficMaster Premium Vinyl Tile in Carrara Marble, Home Depot, starting at $0.89/sq. ft.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Brittany Devenyi
Source: The Home Depot

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Contact paper

If you love the marbled look, you’ll want to customize all of your furniture with this stylish contact paper. The affordable material has a peel-away backing that can stick to almost any surface, from the top of a coffee table to the inside of kitchen drawers. Keep in mind that the paper doesn’t react well to water, so avoid using it in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink. Marble Contact Paper in Marmi Grey, Design Your Wall, $59.99 per roll.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Brittany Devenyi
Source: Style at Home

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Ceramic wall tile

Elevate your living space with ceramic wall tiles that mimic the look of marble like this elegant option from Ciot. Though similar in appearance, ceramic is far more delicate than marble and is therefore more susceptible to chips and cracks. The solution: Be strategic with placement, avoiding high-traffic areas in favour of bathroom walls or backsplashes. Marvel Wall Tile in Calacatta Extra, Ciot, see store for pricing.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Brittany Devenyi
Source: Ciot

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Porcelain tile

Porcelain is another classic material that boasts marble's polished aesthetic without the hefty price tag. The tile is more resilient than ceramic, which makes it perfect for flooring as well as bathroom walls and kitchen backsplashes. Let's just say marble-inspired porcelain has the ability to make any space sparkle. Glazed Porcelain Tiles in White, Olympia Tile + Stone, see store for pricing.

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Laminam

If you’re not yet familiar with Laminam, allow us to be the first to introduce you. The innovative material is touted as being the world’s first porcelain tile that's offered in 3 metre by 1 metre panels and is thinner than standard porcelain tiling. This means that in addition to covering existing walls and floors, Laminam can take on an array of delicate surfaces (think fireplace surrounds, kitchen countertops and outdoor areas). I Naturali Laminam in Bianco Statuario, Stone Tile, see store for pricing.